Sword in the Stone Vis Dev

A mix of Bill Peet and Vance Gerry sketches that show personality and environment exploration for The Sword in the Stone. I love Peet's sketch above of Merlin as he takes a nap in a Kem Weber studio chair...wearing tennis shoes. An early indication that Peet's approach and interpretation of T. H. White's book would be irreverent.
It's interesting to note that Peet stated he based his designs of Merlin on Walt Disney. Milt Kahl, who came up with Merlin's final design, denies referencing his boss in his work.

A great Peet sketch of Wart, which served as inspiration for Milt's more stylized design.

The liberties you can take in animation! Archimedes, the owl, could never sit on Merlin's hat like this because of his weight, but who cares? It looks believable in the film.

The following four sketches are the work of Vance Gerry, who could draw and develop just about anything for a Disney film.

Bill Peet gave Merlin a unique set of eyebrows. They point upward no matter what the character's mood is. Milt Kahl didn't adapt this idea exactly, but instead created  his own version of eyebrows for a very old man:
http://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/2016/12/more-on-milts-merlin.html

Busch 1962

These marvelous illustrations were published in 1962 in a book that included collected stories about riders and horses. Finding a vintage book with Busch drawings is always such a pleasure. His work is powerful an inventive when it comes to composition. So inspirational!!

  

Sleeping Beauty Press Book II

Sleeping Beauty Press Book 1959

Here is the first half of the vintage Sleeping Beauty press book. It is interesting to see this endless list of promotional partners. From Peanut butter, clothing to the announcement of "The Art of Animation" book and exhibition.
I'll post part II in couple of days.